Have NFL defenses figured out 49ers’ offense?

(11-30) 21:25 PST — Following a 19-11 road win against the Redskins on Nov. 6, 49ers wide receiver Braylon Edwards said San Francisco’s offense was still in its embryonic stages.

“We haven’t even begun to touch the surface of what we can do,” said Edwards, later adding, “We’re not anywhere near where we can be.”

Three games and 25 days later, the Niners’ offense hasn’t made significant progress since Edwards’ offered his optimistic outlook.

In last week’s 16-6 loss to the Ravens, the 49ers had a season-low 170 yards and crossed midfield once in the second half. But San Francisco’s first defeat since mid-September was only the most unsightly – and high-profile – in what’s been a string of underwhelming offensive performances.

Consider that in their past three games, the Niners have:

— Scored four touchdowns, with just one coming on a drive of more than 50 yards. They have scored one touchdown on 26 drives originating in their own territory.

— Converted 13 of 44 third downs (29.5 percent), a lower conversion rate than their season total of 30.6 percent, which ranks 30th in the NFL.

— Collected three touchdowns (and four field goals) in nine trips to the red zone.

Last week, Ravens defensive end Corey Redding said Baltimore wasn’t confused by the multiple formations, personnel groups and motions the Niners use during the course of a game.

“We dialed in on them real good about what they do,” Redding said. “It’s a lot of window dressing – they move this, that and the other – but once they get in the final formation, we know where the ball’s going to go.”

Redding’s assessment prompts the question: Have defenses started to figure out a unique offense that frequently features formations with six offensive linemen, or three tight ends, or a right guard (Adam Snyder) who lines up in the backfield before going in motion?

“I’m sure that there are some things that they’ve figured out,” Niners coach Jim Harbaugh said. “That’s why we have to constantly look to evolve and continue that. That’s something we self-scout and you try to evolve as an offense and something we have been doing.”

The Niners’ sputtering attack will have an opportunity to get healthy Sunday against the visiting Rams (2-9), who enter with a defense ranked 21st in the NFL and 32nd against the run.

Tight end Delanie Walker said opponents haven’t solved the Niners because their offense is too diversified. And he said it will be adding another layer Sunday in its attempt to develop during the final five games of the regular season.

“I don’t think teams can figure us out – we do a lot,” Walker said. “Sometimes you’re on and sometimes you’re not. Most of the time, we’re on. We are going to do some things that are different this week, and try to see what they do when we put in different personnel.”

Up … and down

The 49ers are 9-2 despite their offensive struggles. They’re close to the bottom in several categories, but surprisingly high in others, including scoring: